Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Fishteacher73
...I think that (to actually get a bit more back to the thread) as many controls as the gov't imposes that some pricing restrictions would be a wise idea.
|
Actually, I was not suggesting price restrictions. Merely that informed consumers could demand that packages of services could be priced in advance by a physician or a hospital. Then consumers could
select between two or more similar priced products. Imagine that.
Quote:
|
Most excessive charges are linked to pharmaceuticals. Many of these are outrageously priced and not fully understood. The only option for many is an expensive inferior product.
|
Pharmaceuticals are priced at market. They typically price at or near the cost of the therapy that they are replacing. US prices are generally higher than other countries, because other countries control prices. The US essentially subsidizes the pharma costs of Europe and Canada.
Pharmaceuticals are about 20% of the US healthcare dollar. Older pharmaceuticals are often pretty good values (since they are off patent) and are not necessarily inferior. Ibuprofen is a great, inexpensive NSAID, and it theraputically equal to Vioxx and Celebrex, it just may have a different side effect profile.
----------------
Few problems are so complex that they cannot be substantially clarified by one more cup of coffee
(or a nice cabernet if it is after 5:00)
Moderator in absentia. Return anticipated. Timing somewhat vague.
